Page 80 of Mountain Summons

“It’s okay,” Jo said calmly. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Val nodded. “Right. That’s how it works, Jo. We still need to get you to the hospital.” A second passed. Then another one. “Beau?” Val said sweetly. “If we stand here much longer, Jo may end up having the baby in the hallway of thegendarmerie.”

Her words spurred thecommandantinto action. “Lorenz, Alex, go get the cars. And tell … tell whoever’s on duty that we need an escort to the hospital.”

Alex and Lorenz bolted into action, looking relieved to have something to do.

“Tristan, find two chairs,” Beau barked.

“I’m fine. I don’t need a chair.” Jo sounded bewildered. “And why would we needtwochairs?”

“One’s forHugo,” Ry said helpfully, as Tristan ran to do as he’d been told.

Moments after she sat down, Jo’s expression lost all color. Hugo kneeled next to her, looking bewildered.

“You remember all those things you learned about in the prenatal classes?” Val asked, her hand curling around Hugo’s arm. “It’s time to put them to good use.”

Hugo gaped, looking like a fish out of water. Then managed a soft, “You’re doing great, Jo. Really great.”

“Not yet!” Jo argued. “That’s what you’re meant to tell me when I’m ready to push. I’m not ready to push. I willnothave this baby in the middle of your office.”

“Everything’s going to be okay, Jo,” Val assured her in a calm, professional voice.

Ry crouched beside them, already pulling his phone out. “I’ll let the hospital know we’re coming.”

The door opened and Lena walked through. Her mouth opened comically as she took in the chaotic scene. “Wow. Okay. So this is where you all are.”

Tristan made his way to Lena and gave her a quick kiss.

“I guess this explains why there’s nobody in the bar …” she whispered in his ear.

“I’m not ready for this,” Jo said, her expression going pale again.

This time, Hugo knew what to say. “Of course you’re ready, Jo. You’re the strongest woman I know, and I’m here for you. It’s time to meet our girl.”

Lena

In the end, little Rébé wasn’t born in thegendarmerie, but it was close.

Really close.

Jo, Hugo, and Val had piled into the first car. The way Lorenz peeled out of the lot made Lena think Formula 1 had missed out on a contender. The rest of them followed in a loose convoy, one of the vehicles driven by Lena’s father, who’d come down to investigate the commotion and stayed once he realized what was happening.

Jo and Hugo’s little girl waited until the whole team had gathered in the hospital waiting room before making her grand entrance into the world. And then, less than an hour later, they all had the privilege of meeting her when Hugo came out for a few seconds with her in his arms.

“She’s beautiful, Hugo,” somebody said.

Lena smiled. The babywasbeautiful.A wrinkled, red-faced, squirming little bundle of fierce new life. Lena had never seen a newborn up close before. People didn’t tend to share that kind of intimacy, except with family.

Which, somehow, was exactly what this group had become.Family.

“Très belle.”

“A princess.”

“You should hear her cry,” Hugo bragged, beaming. With his baby girl in his arms, he was back to his usual confident self.

“Congratulations, Lieutenant.” Her father turned towards Lena with a soft look. “She’s as beautiful as you were when you were born.”

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